Sightseeing at Kargil

Even though this was my first fourth visit to Ladakh, it was my first trip to Kargil. I was traveling with the Axis Dil Se team. Axis Bank along with 17 Thousand ft Foundation provided playground and library to more than 100 government schools in the Ladakh. The region has two districts Leh and Kargil. I travelled to the Kargil District. While my primary task was to experience the inaugurations at the schools, a travel blogger finds a way to explore the region. So here is an account of my sightseeing at Kargil.

Let me start at the video first! I think I can try making more videos of my travels!

The Kargil War Memorial at Drass

Visiting the Kargil War Memorial was a moving experience. Before standing in the shadow of it, Tololing Hill was just another name for me. We stopped at the memorial on our way to Drass Government Middle School.

Kargil War Memorial at Drass

The Manoj Pandey War Gallery is full of the photographs of the young martyrs. At the age when people post selfies on Facebook along with messages of ‘trying to find my true self’ these heroes had made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. While walking out I read the words of John Maxwell Edmonds itched on the gate “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow we gave our today” I am not prone to goosebumps easily but the Kargil War Memorial was one such experience.

They screen a movie on the Kargil War in the auditorium. If you can, do watch it. I would say also as a measure of respect do stay till the last names of the martyrs goes off the screen.

Walk through the Main Market at Kargil

The locals feel that Kargil saw development only after the Kargil War in 1999. They have cordial relationship with the army. They also feel that due to the war, Kargil has earned a reputation of being unsafe. They asked me to tell my friends that Kargil is safe and tourists are welcome. There are many places to explore in the vicinity.

While walking the local market alone, I did feel that people were curious about me. But no one, absolutely no one, bothered me in any which way. I walked for a while and then came a fork in the road.

A group of kids were sitting there. I asked them for the way to the river. One thing led to another and soon I was walking with them in their lane. And what fun we had. I find handing over my SLR to them a great ice breaker! My only instruction is to put the strap around their neck. That way if they accidently drop the camera, it will not fall. As the kids were playing with me, adults would join in too! I knew then that I was in a friendly place.

The Ladakhi Biscuit

While going back I went inside a shop and asked for a biscuit. They told me it was local stuff, and I need not pay for it, I could taste it. They warned me it was savoury, not sweet. I insisted that I would pay and then eat. I prevailed in the end!

Soon I was heading back to my hotel, The Kargil, for dinner and an early night!

Hundarman Village

The Remains of Hundarman Village

About 11 kilometres away from Kargil is the ghost town of Hundarman. It came into India’s possession post 1972 war. There is a museum nearby but we reached a little before 5.00 in the evening, which is the closing time. We could not find it. Mr. Anup Kalsy from Axis Bank is an avid motorcyclist and I was lucky to go pillion with him to the village.

The road leading to the village is narrow but there was no traffic. There is an army check post a little above the road and a habited village above it. Beyond it lies the high watch towers of the Indian Army.

On our way back, we stopped at the tea shop, where you can rent binoculars and take a look into the neighbouring Pakistani Village. I used my zoom lens instead.

Namsuru Village

Kargil is on the way to Zanskar Valley. The landscapes of the surrounding villages are stunning. We went to Namsuru Valley for a school inauguration for Axis Dil Se. On the way I could see the Nun Peak of the famous Nun and Kun Twin Peaks of Kashmir. Nun and Kun are the highest peaks of Kashmir. I could not explore the village much due to lack of time but I am glad I caught a glimpse at least.

Maiterya Buddha at the Mulbek Monastery

Maiterya Buddha at Mulbek

Maiterya Buddha at the Mulbek Monastery is located on the Kargil Leh Road. The giant rock statue of Maiterya Buddha is said to carved in 1st century BC, during the Kushan period. There is a small monastery next to the statue. I strongly recommend that you stop here on the way.

There are a few dhabas on the opposite side of the road. We sat for lunch in one of them. The young man who runs it speaks impeccable English and holds a degree in Tourism Management! They made scrunchy pyaz paratha too!

I got only fleeting glimpses of Kargil this time. But I surely wish to go back to the region and explore more. I definitely wish to go beyond to the Zanskar Valley too.

I have a personal bond with Ladakh, this blog came into being because of our trip to Ladakh, way back in 2005. Little did I know that one day I would quit my full time job as a professor and do full time blogging. I traveled for the fourth time to Ladakh for the Axis Dil Se project.

Axis Bank along with 17 Thousand ft Foundation funded more than 100 government schools under the Axis Dil Se project. The endeavour was to bring a playground and a reading room for the kids for selected schools. I attended the inauguration function at two schools at Drass and Namsuru in the Kargil District. It was my pleasure to be a part of the excitement generated by the kids for this unique project. Axis Bank had a team on the ground which consisted of business leaders and young management trainees.

But let me start at the beginning and for Leh, it has to be the landing at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport.

The Landing at Leh

The Joy of Landing at Leh

If you are flying into Leh, chances are you already know that the best views are on the A side windows and while coming back, it is the F side window you clamor for! Flying over the Karakoram Range is an experience you never get tired of. This was my third landing at Leh, the first visit being a road trip, and I was still glued to the window!

Beautiful Roads in Ladakh

The Beautiful Roads in Kargil, Ladakh

In Ladakh the journey is the destination. I visited various tourist attractions, like the confluence, Spituk Monastery, Hundarman etc. but it is the scenery along the road that holds me in thrall! If I could have it my way, I would stop the vehicle every few meters to click a picture. But as I could not have it my way, I could click nonstop from the moving vehicle.

Axis Dil Se is a Fabulous Project

Reaching Remote Schools

The Axis Dil Se is a fabulous project as it aimed to provide much needed recreation and learning to young minds. I gathered from various discussions that people who can afford, send their kids to private schools in faraway places. So, any attempt to raise the standard of the village schools is to be appreciated as the kids don’t need to get separated from their family at a young age. Axis Dil Se along with 17 Thousand ft Foundation has tried to raise the standards throughout the Ladakh region.

Axis Bank’s business leaders along with young management trainees participated in the program. 17 Thousand ft Foundation also had a big team of local experts on the ground to support the project.

The Kids are Awesome

The Awesome Kids of Kargil!

For me the biggest joy was interacting with the kids in their schools. The first school that I visited was the Government Middle School in Drass. The kids presented a fabulous cultural show. I could see the involvement of their teachers too! But what impressed me most was their laughter, they would roar in unison at the smallest thing, like a scuffle during the musical chair!

At the end of the program at Drass, the kids went to the playground! And their joy was obvious! Do watch the video to catch a glimpse of it.

Namsuru is a beautiful village where I attended the second inauguration. Here too the kids put on a wonderful show. What impressed me most that the girls had already taken out the books from the library and reading it while watching the cultural show.

Going Home with Gratitude

Laughing Readily

Now that I am firmly back to my city life, I am reminded of how much I take for granted in this life. I, for sure, all my life took playgrounds and libraries for granted. I never thought of them as anything extra special. My daughter does the same. And then I remember the look on the face of kids while they came down a slide, or went up the swing, and I think how blessed are they who laugh readily, who do not really understand pollution or daily traffic jams.

The kids from Kargil reminded me to feel grateful at what I have, rather than constantly crib!

I am Mridula Dwivedi, I love to travel! I started my travel blog in 2005. I have been going places since! For more details do check out my media kit! In another life I did a Ph.D. from IIT Kanpur. I was a professor when I quit my job in 2015.